Let’s start from the beginning! Tell us a little about the journey that led you to where you are now.

I started out acting when I was 4 years old on-stage across the UK. I then made the transition to TV and film on BBC sitcoms and teen dramas. I moved to America to attend Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute in New York before making the jump to Los Angeles, where I continued working in film until I made the switch over to cooking full-time. Cooking has always been my hobby from a young age. I would bake recipes over and over again until it was perfect. I’d scribble down the recipes in notepads. When acting and I mutually went our separate ways, I ventured into the private chef world full-time. I started cooking for celebrities through an agency in Los Angeles that staffed me in their homes while continuing to develop my own recipes on the side and post them on my website. I’ve built a life here in Los Angeles with my husband and our rather large bernedoodle, Paddington.

What inspires you? What factors have played roles in the development of your cooking style?

My Nonna was from Northern Italy and moved to England when she was 19. This is where she met my grandfather and got married — similar to me moving from England to America and building a life overseas. Having a close relationship with her cemented my passion for cooking. Her whole day revolved around cooking dinner that night and feeding her loved ones. She taught me how to cook in her kitchen and I found her love of food and quality ingredients endlessly inspiring. Growing up in the English countryside, visiting the local farm shops also inspired my love of seasonal, local produce to cook with. I was lucky enough to grow up traveling with my family, which also introduced me to many different cuisines. We were less than an hour outside of London, which is such a multicultural city with incredible food — it’s always had a huge influence on my life. I love to cook with all sorts of flavors, spices, and different cuisines from all over the world. The grounding of everything has always being fresh, organic, and healthy.

What inspired you to seek certification as a nutrition coach? How does your passion for cooking influence your devotion to healthy living?

I was always someone who was mindful of what they put into their body. I have been through phases in my life where I didn’t eat meat for long periods — I was vegan or pescatarian. My parents and I always had intolerances to dairy and other things, so I grew up creating recipes that catered to dietary restrictions. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I launched myself into research mode and discovered even more about what is fed to the animals we eat and what is sprayed on the produce we consume. It felt like a natural evolution after my treatment to implement what I learned and get certified as a nutrition coach so I could teach others going through similar health journey’s. My goal is to become a full nutritionist within the coming years.

You speak a lot about your journey with breast cancer. How has this diagnosis shaped your life and approach to clean eating?

Being diagnosed with breast cancer with no family history at the age of 32 was a huge shock. Still being here today feels like a big accomplishment — considering the very aggressive nature of my cancer. My life is still filled with scans and doctors appointments while in remission. But, I feel grateful I caught it early and was my own advocate — pushing doctors and listening to my intuition when I first felt the lump. When I was diagnosed, it felt natural as a chef and someone who already had a keen interest and strong connection with food to venture deeper into nutrition and how it directly affects our health. It was the one thing I felt I could be in control of during times when I felt very out of control. It gave me a purpose and a focus through everything and I am now always looking to impart what I learned on to others. I try to keep my eating as clean as possible throughout my healing journey.

What can you share about the relationship between food and healing? What are some ways we can celebrate the medicinal qualities of food in our everyday life?

What we put into our bodies nourishes our cells. It becomes a part of us and how our bodies are fueled. If something is heavily processed and full of chemicals or ingredients we don’t understand, our bodies won’t understand them either. We can get sick if we eat badly. Sometimes, just in small ways — like disruptive stomach issues or skin flare-ups. Sometimes, bigger diseases like cancer and heart disease. I suggest that we stick to simple, organic, unrefined ingredients that are nutritious and healing for your body! Yes, organic food is a little more expensive, but you know what’s even more expensive and disruptive? Getting cancer in the middle of your life. Certain ingredients, like fresh turmeric, have powerful anti-inflammatory properties and can be used in a variety of ways — in soups, curries, stews, and teas. You can add black pepper to activate the curcumin in it. I like to add mushroom superfood powders into sweet treats or clean protein powders into snacks and smoothies for added protein. I eat and drink foods rich in antioxidants and vitamins — chia seeds, flax seeds, wild salmon, anchovies, nuts for omega fatty acids, kale, broccoli, lemon, and celery in your pressed juices. Avocado, coconut, pasture-raised eggs, and berries are also a part of my daily diet. Garlic and ginger are also great basic ingredients that can be incorporated seamlessly into so many dishes and help flush out toxins from the body. Your body needs a balance of all these things, plus good carbs and natural sugars, to function. You won’t ever hear of someone getting sick from eating too much fruit. So, steer clear of anything with chemicals or too many processed ingredients and your body will thank you.

Between developing recipes for your blog, cooking for clients as a private chef or for events, and working towards becoming a certified nutritionist, you juggle many different business ventures. Tell us what a typical day-in-the-life looks like for you.

I love that my week is always different! Being a classic Gemini woman, I get bored easily. And I love the variety my work brings. My days can look super different from eachother — maybe it’s planning a breast cancer event, advocating for other women, creating a beautiful dinner party for a client, or just cooking at home in my slippers and dropping it off to a client. I might also be cooking at a celebrity client’s home or doing a nutritional coaching day. Perhaps, I’m filming an episode of my YouTube series (that’s coming soon), working with a brand to create beautiful recipes for a campaign, or filming content at home in my kitchen. And in between all of that, you can find me working on my cookbook and nutrition certification.

But, I love to start my day with my green juice. Then, I make some breakfast, catch up on emails, have a cup of tea, go for a walk with my dog Paddington, do a peloton ride or a yoga class, go to the farmers markets and grocery stores for my clients, plan my coaching sessions, create recipes, post recipes, grab dinner with a girlfriend, or cook at home for my husband. I love to end the day with a book, writing up recipes on my website and editing content, taking a long hot bubble bath, drinking magnesium, and getting good quality sleep. I love the variety it all brings and am grateful for every moment I get to be here living life!

How do you seek to incorporate balance in your life?

My whole POV is about balance and leading my life with the 80/20 rule. Day-to-day and throughout the week, I like to eat super clean. I avoid dairy, refined sugar, processed foods, refined carbs, and red meat. I drink green juice and eat an anti-inflammatory, Mediterranean-influenced diet filled with organic fresh fish, white meat, and veggies or salads. I incorporate a lot of plant-based meals into my week. But on the weekend, or on vacation, I may want to have a cocktail on the beach, go out and enjoy some pizza and a glass of wine with friends, or have a date night with my husband at a new local restaurant. For these activities, I’m going to indulge myself! Because life is short, and I fought so hard to still be here enjoying it with the people I love.

What are your favorite rituals around food and eating with others? How would you describe your motivations behind entertaining and how can we make our gatherings a bit more special?

Feeding people is my love language. Cooking for someone I love fills my cup and allows me to show them how much I care. So inviting close friends and family I cherish over for dinners at our home is one of my favorite things to do. I like to create a warm inviting space with a curated playlist, candles, fresh flowers, and a signature cocktail or mocktail. I love natural wines too, of course. I love to create a menu rooted in mindfulness — taking into consideration my guest’s dietary needs and restrictions. I always find seasonal produce from the farmers market. I also like to thoughtfully plate and serve the food, family-style on pretty platters, so people can help themselves.

Do you have any cooking tips or kitchen hacks you could share with us?

1. Always use good quality olive oil and organic, fresh, high-quality ingredients where possible. This will elevate the flavor of your dishes.
   2. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new ingredients and flavors. Cooking is supposed to be creative and fun!
   3. Always use a sharp knife. Blunt knives can cut your fingers.
   4. Taste as you cook, always checking for seasoning.
   5. Prep all your ingredients before you start cooking, it will make the process easier and smoother.
   6. Clean as you go for a quicker clean-up at the end.
   7. Save scraps for stock! I love to make stock in batches and freeze it for soups.

What’s next for you? How do you hope to see the impact of your work take form?

I’m currently working on a cookbook full of healthy, anti-inflammatory recipes. It’s also provides a realistic approach to nutrition. I talk about my journey through treatment and healing your body through food. But, I also write about how important it is to allow yourself to live, enjoy, and indulge with good quality ingredients.

Plus, I’m filming my own short YouTube series with some celebrity guests and clients! This will highlight what I do day-to-day with clients. I go to their homes, make clean swaps in their pantry, and teach them how to make some delicious healthy meals for them and their families.

I am working as an advocate for different breast cancer charities, such as the TNBC Foundation, and recently became a board member with The Fondle Project. I collaborated with them on an event during the fall where we raised money for cancer research.

I have some other fun collabs and events coming up this year and can’t wait to share more soon!

Favorite place to visit to spark recipe inspiration?

All the farmers markets around Los Angeles. Or when I travel abroad to Europe — England is still endlessly inspiring to me with their fresh, local, farm-to-table sensibility.

Most nostalgic snack or treat from childhood?

A cheese toastie with Branston pickle or baked beans on toast. Both are super British and really classic back home.

Favorite space in your home?

Our living room! I adore the exposed brick fireplace and our picture window looking out over the Santa Monica mountains. The light in our space is dreamy.

Most-used item in your kitchen?

My Le Creuset Dutch Oven and my Cast Iron Skillet. Both come close to my Kitchen Aid Mixer, which I also would find hard to live without.

Current favorite cooking spice?

 

Sumac! Obsessed with using it for everything, from mocktails and chicken kebabs. And of course, my best anti-inflammatory friend: Turmeric, always.

Currently watching?

Love Island UK, of course.